The Current’s Bill DeVille writes, “You can tell JD McPherson is fan of Christmas. ‘Socks’ swings like crazy! This is the album to put on when you are baking cookies in the kitchen, putting up the tree with a spiked eggnog in hand or the ultimate album to kick that Christmas party up a notch!“

The weekly Monday night jam at Shaw’s Bar in Northeast Minneapolis, a popular spot for Minneapolis blues musicians, will be renamed “Sarah Papenheim Cocktail Jam,” in honor of the 21-year-old Andover drummer who was fatally stabbed on Dec. 12 in the Netherlands. Tonight — Monday, Dec. 17 — at 7 p.m., friends, family, and fellow…

This week on New Classical Tracks, English horn player Cally Banham and her band Cortango are joined by members of the St. Louis Symphony on 'Cor Christmas,' featuring festive arrangements of holiday favorites -- with a few surprises on the way. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win the new release!